Alejandro Gonzalez jnr out to follow in his father's footsteps against Carl Frampton

Alejandro Gonzalez jnr out to follow in his father's footsteps against Carl Frampton

BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Alejandro Gonzalez jnr may be a heavy underdog when walking to the ring tonight at the Don Haskins Centre in El Paso, Texas but the 22-year-old insists that destiny is calling him to world title glory, writes David Kelly.

Alejandro Gonzalez jnr may be a heavy underdog when walking to the ring tonight at the Don Haskins Centre in El Paso, Texas but the 22-year-old insists that destiny is calling him to world title glory, writes David Kelly.

It was July 1995 when his father Alejandro snr found himself in a similar position against American Kevin Kelley in the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas and came out on top to win the WBC World featherweight crown. Now, with his 55-year-old dad in his corner, junior believes this is his moment of glory.

IBF World super-bantamweight champion Carl Frampton will have something to say about that but Gonzalez jnr is convinced that Mexico will be hailing a new boxing hero this evening.

"I think it's going to be a great fight, it will be a real war. Whether it goes the distance or not, I am confident that I will win. I think I'm a better fighter than the ones he has faced so far," said Gonzalez jnr, speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph.

"I believe in myself and I believe things happen for a reason and at a certain time. There are many boxers at my weight but I have the chance now to become world champion and things happen for a reason and something different is going to happen than what Frampton thinks.

"I feel this is my destiny to win the world title, I was born for this moment, it's in my blood. My dad was a world champion, the same age, same place, same thing - everything against him and he won the world title against Kevin Kelley.

"Everybody says Frampton is favourite because of his record and his boxing ability but when it comes to boxing it's about the night and the two men and nothing else and I am very confident.

"I'm a smart guy, I have learned and improved as a fighter - I'm not the same fighter that you may have seen in previous fights, I'm a new man.

"I have tried to be better in my style and I am now working 100 per cent in the gym. I used to just give 30 per cent but now I give 100 per cent. I made a decision that either I do that or I just give up on boxing and I prefer 100 per cent boxing.

"Before I was fooling around, not partying but just not working hard enough and moaning but this camp has been so different, I have been giving it everything."

It is an opportunity that only seven years ago he thought would never happen as Alejandro snr was steadfastly against his son becoming a professional boxer - and had already made sure that his three other sons took another route in life.

But Alejandro jnr explained that a little cloak and dagger as well as stoic determination convinced his father to allow him the chance to follow in his footsteps.

He added: "My first time in the ring as an amateur, I was 14 and I turned pro at 16. My dad didn't want me to box, he took me to a soccer club and I played soccer and got to the fourth division in Mexico but boxing is in my blood and I couldn't leave it.

"So I went to the gym one day... I got whipped but I enjoyed it and I kept going and going.

"My dad found out and told me not to go back but I started having amateur fights without him knowing and I got to 16 unbeaten as an amateur and when he did find out, we talked and he said 'OK, I'll be with you'.

"Now I have this big opportunity and for me it's not just about winning the world title, it's also about beating one of the best super-bantamweight champions in the world.

"It would mean a lot to me and to the Mexican people. I could go on and have more really big fights."

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